My fellow Fox political analyst Karl Rove sees the proof in the Obama campaign’s claims that Mitt Romney might be a felon and an Obama super-PAC advertisement blaming Romney for shuttering a factory and leaving a dying woman without health insurance.

Yes, there is dirt being thrown by the Obama campaign. But one of the biggest chunks of mud is proudly splattered all around the Republican National Convention site. I refer specifically to signs that read: “We Built It!”

For weeks, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have hammered President Obama for saying, “You didn’t build that.” Obama said those words during a speech arguing that people earning more than $250,000 should pay more taxes.

The rich should be willing to pay more, the president said, because of the public school teachers and taxpayers, as well as the nation’s roads and bridges, that contribute daily to America’s incredible record of business innovation and profits.

Here is President Obama’s full quote from the speech in Roanoke, Va., on July 13:

“If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”

The GOP willfully ignored the preceding four sentences in that quote and focused solely on “you didn’t build that.”

The Associated Press Fact Check has blasted Romney’s distortion, noting “the full quote makes clear Obama is talking about the conditions that help businesses and individuals succeed, such as teachers and infrastructure.”

Now, this is intentional distortion — dirty politics by any name. It suggests business has suffered under President Obama and that is why unemployment remains high.

The facts about how business has performed during the Obama years tell a different story.

When Obama took office in January 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was hovering around 8,000. Last Friday (Aug. 24), it closed at 13,157. The Nasdaq has doubled since Obama took office.

Just four years ago, the economy was on the brink of total collapse. The Bush administration deserves credit for taking initial steps to stabilize the global panic with multibillion-dollar Wall Street bailouts. But it was Obama who inherited the aftermath — the Great Recession.

How can the Romney camp describe Obama as hostile to business when he cut taxes for small businesses 18 times in his first term? He signed the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which contained $200 billion in tax relief for small businesses. It also provided incentives for businesses to create jobs, invest and grow.

There is no debating that, under President Obama, corporate profits are at their highest levels in decades.

In fiscal 2011, the federal taxes corporations paid within the United States fell to 12.1 percent of profits, according to the Congressional Budget Office. That is far below 25.6 percent, the average paid by corporations from 1987 to 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported.

One of the biggest expenses for businesses is the cost of providing health insurance for their employees. The Affordable Care Act, which Republicans here in Tampa have vowed to repeal, helps small businesses reduce these costs.

Under the new law, employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from penalties for not covering their workers.

Now, small businesses with fewer than 25 workers and average wages of less than $50,000 are given tax credits to provide coverage to their workers.

Most importantly, the law sets up state health insurance exchanges starting in 2014. They will allow small businesses to buy coverage at a lower cost by expanding the risk pool and eliminating free riders thanks to the individual mandate.

But the Romney campaign continues to attack Obama’s healthcare plan as the enemy of business. And it continues to twist the Virginia speech into an attack on small-business owners. This is politics so dirty it covers over the truth. How can any Republican complain about dirty politics when smears aimed at the president are so visible at this convention?

Juan Williams is an author and political analyst for Fox News Channel.

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10398Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

Having been a business owner, I will say that what the GOP is saying is actually very correct. While we ALL have had influences in our lives that have helped make us who we are, that doesn't mean the individual shouldn't be credited with having built and operated a business successfully. Those teachers, that infrastructure, those predecessors in that field....none of them guarantee success. Successful business owners typically put in long hours, create opportunities to succeed, and take incredible risks that others may not be willing to. Successful business owners earn their money 95% of the time. Those that get handed a successful business need to work to keep them successful. If they don't, that business will either be sold off or die. As a result, Obama's statement was utterly ridiculous and WAY off base.

That is not to say that I don't think that wealthy people shouldn't pay more taxes. Despite being a conservative and Republican myself, I think that wealthy folks paying less in percentage than those in poverty is a ridiculous notion.

That's why I've always supported the idea of a flat tax for the entire nation, regardless of where the income came from or what your social standing is. No tax shelters, no hiding money.

At the same time, I feel like at the same time that is passed, there needs to be some strict limits on Congressional spending and their raises. They shouldn't vote on that, and determine what they get. It should be determined by the economics of the country. And there should be an immediate act enforced that says Congress shall pass no law that exempts ANY member of the Executive, Judicial or Legislative branches of the United States government, in any way shape or form.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

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August 29th, 2012, 10:42 am

njroar

QB Coach

Joined: September 25th, 2007, 3:20 amPosts: 3220

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

It's the typical spin and talking points.... He mentions small business, but then points to Wall Street and Corporations, which aren't small businesses. They claim to have cut taxes 18 times, but fail to mention those taxes were reverted back to the old levels after they were raised in the ACA. It's the repeal of items such as the paperwork requirements and other things that hurt small business that he's calling tax cuts. It's disingenuous.

Wall Street and Corporations also HAVE to maintain a higher profit level because the banks re now required to have a % of cash on hand to prevent what happened in 2007. When you're required to have X amount of cash for X amount of holdings, you can't turn around and blame them for doing what you told them to do. But honestly, they aren't responsible for job creation other than allowing loans. Small businesses are where the largest job creation takes place.

August 29th, 2012, 12:59 pm

TheRealWags

Modmin Dude

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12488

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

I just found it interesting considering as Juan is a Conservative. Y'all can fight, argue, spin it any which way you want.

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August 29th, 2012, 2:53 pm

njroar

QB Coach

Joined: September 25th, 2007, 3:20 amPosts: 3220

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

TheRealWags wrote:

I just found it interesting considering as Juan is a Conservative. Y'all can fight, argue, spin it any which way you want.

He's not a conservative. He's the liberal voice on Fox.

August 29th, 2012, 2:57 pm

TheRealWags

Modmin Dude

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12488

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

njroar wrote:

TheRealWags wrote:

I just found it interesting considering as Juan is a Conservative. Y'all can fight, argue, spin it any which way you want.

He's not a conservative. He's the liberal voice on Fox.

Really?

A quick Google seems to show that Liberals consider him Conservative and Conservatives consider him Liberal.....maybe that means he's doing something right...

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Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right....

August 29th, 2012, 3:20 pm

njroar

QB Coach

Joined: September 25th, 2007, 3:20 amPosts: 3220

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

TheRealWags wrote:

njroar wrote:

TheRealWags wrote:

I just found it interesting considering as Juan is a Conservative. Y'all can fight, argue, spin it any which way you want.

He's not a conservative. He's the liberal voice on Fox.

Really?

A quick Google seems to show that Liberals consider him Conservative and Conservatives consider him Liberal.....maybe that means he's doing something right...

He's liberal but he's mostly fair. He was a long time NPR reporter that took flak for appearing occasionally on Fox News. When he was honest and said after 9/11 he too had to look twice at people in full muslim garb, he was fired and Fox was the only one to defend him. He's a moderate democrat that isn't left enough for the progressives.

My problem with the above piece is just that it's the same talking points that Obama is putting out. Both sides are correct in what the campaigns are saying, but the devil's in the details. And the reason the Obama campaign has to accuse the Repubs of racism (Angry is now a racist word btw), claim to help small business when they've stifled growth, and keep saying they inherited much of what their policies haven't fixed, is because he can't run on his own record.

Christie's speech last night hit the nail on the head. NJ was able to do things that everyone said couldn't be done. Obama refused to work with the other side when he had full control of house and senate, then attacks them for not agreeing when he lost control. Division isn't leading. I'm afraid the campaign will only get uglier. When you can't run on your own policies, the only alternative is to attack the opponent.

August 29th, 2012, 6:27 pm

WarEr4Christ

QB Coach

Joined: October 26th, 2005, 11:48 pmPosts: 3056Location: Elkhart, In.

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

How about the HYPOCRISY of creating undue hardships and trauma on members of the Liberal party by requiring them to travel long distances and PRODUCE AN ID Card at the entrance to the DNC?

_________________Acts 4:13, 1 Cor. 2:1-5, Rom. 12:1-2

September 1st, 2012, 5:43 pm

WarEr4Christ

QB Coach

Joined: October 26th, 2005, 11:48 pmPosts: 3056Location: Elkhart, In.

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

MO made a comment last night that the President understands what we're going through and I'm curious as to how that could be? He's had a silver spoon in his mouth, and been escorted through life by powerfull people from day one.

She also said something to the effect of being President exposes who you are and I have to agree. It's exposed this leader as a communist, a liar, and deceiver, and people are still drinking his kool aid.

Are we that deceived that we can't see him for who he is?

_________________Acts 4:13, 1 Cor. 2:1-5, Rom. 12:1-2

September 5th, 2012, 7:50 am

Pablo

RIP Killer

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 9:21 amPosts: 9898Location: Dallas

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

WarEr4Christ wrote:

Are we that deceived that we can't see him for who he is?

Yes, Liberals/Dems are deceived by their candidates just as Conservatives/Reps are decieved by their candidates.

The real deception here, however, is that both sides fail to see the level of deception on their own side. In-other-words, one side thinks Coke doesn't lie and the other doesn't think Pepsi lies.

Until we get a real critical mass and everyone realizes they are being deceived by the status quo, coke/pepsi, rep/dem, we are all screwed!

Let me ask you this, are you not decieved when your side describes themseleves are fiscally conservative? (If you don't think you are, just look at all the debt they have racked up). I could go on and on, but I'm not sure it will ever sink in.

Until we get a real critical mass and everyone realizes they are being deceived by the status quo, coke/pepsi, rep/dem, we are all screwed!

This is the part that scares me. How bad do things have to get for people to wake up (the general masses anyhow). I see a trend starting to develope and people ARE starting to notice...but it's too few. where is rock bottom? what needs to happen to "wake the sleeping dragon"? I hope to all there is that we get a bonafide legit candidate before we have to find out.

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September 5th, 2012, 2:22 pm

WarEr4Christ

QB Coach

Joined: October 26th, 2005, 11:48 pmPosts: 3056Location: Elkhart, In.

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

And vote for what? A Libertarian? NO THANKS!!!!

This is a two party system and it has been forever, not that this is okay, but in truth Libertarians are too far out there on the freedom scale. From what I'VE read, to be a Libertarian is to not wish to infringe on any rights. We all have the right to do as we wish, and that's one step away from chaos. Maybe my understanding in corrupted, but I would much rather have a Conservative than anyone else.

I'm hoping that Obama was right, that R2 is like watching a re-run, a re-run of Reagan!

_________________Acts 4:13, 1 Cor. 2:1-5, Rom. 12:1-2

September 5th, 2012, 3:12 pm

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 4180Location: Davison Mi

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

WarEr4Christ wrote:

And vote for what? A Libertarian? NO THANKS!!!!

This is a two party system and it has been forever, not that this is okay, but in truth Libertarians are too far out there on the freedom scale. From what I'VE read, to be a Libertarian is to not wish to infringe on any rights. We all have the right to do as we wish, and that's one step away from chaos. Maybe my understanding in corrupted, but I would much rather have a Conservative than anyone else.

I'm hoping that Obama was right, that R2 is like watching a re-run, a re-run of Reagan!

BOOOOOOOOO! the only way to end the 2 party system is if people vote 3rd party enough to where they get the same federal fundsing as the big 2. The NEXT election will have more qualified options! voting 3rd party is NOT a throw away vote....especially when 2 candidates are so damn similar...this is the year to do it. Your not voting for the lesser of 2 evils this election..the only difference between these 2 jokers is skin color IMO

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September 5th, 2012, 4:01 pm

WarEr4Christ

QB Coach

Joined: October 26th, 2005, 11:48 pmPosts: 3056Location: Elkhart, In.

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

I hate to break it to ya, but a vote for anyone other than R2 is a vote for Obama. I'm not exactly certain this will be a landslide, but I can HOPE, for a CHANGE, but voting 3rd party will doom us to another 4 years of tyranny and I'm not willing to allow that to happen.

Are you, or anyone for that matter, aware that the U.S. government has purchased 1 MILLION rounds of ammunition, and they've done it through Nasa, and some other obscure agencies. It would appear that there is a plan to "put down a rebellion".

_________________Acts 4:13, 1 Cor. 2:1-5, Rom. 12:1-2

September 5th, 2012, 6:56 pm

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 4180Location: Davison Mi

Re: Dirty politics GOP style By Juan Williams

WarEr4Christ wrote:

I hate to break it to ya, but a vote for anyone other than R2 is a vote for Obama. I'm not exactly certain this will be a landslide, but I can HOPE, for a CHANGE, but voting 3rd party will doom us to another 4 years of tyranny and I'm not willing to allow that to happen.

Are you, or anyone for that matter, aware that the U.S. government has purchased 1 MILLION rounds of ammunition, and they've done it through Nasa, and some other obscure agencies. It would appear that there is a plan to "put down a rebellion".

You really think romney is anything but obama white?

And your " put down a rebellion idea" is pretty laughable. The first problem is getting soldiers to shoot. You were in the military, would you open fire on an American civilian on American soil? I think not. And the populace is no where near rebellion so you have nothing to worry about there.